FOUNDATION ENGINEERING CIVI 6501

Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Concordia University

Major Assignment
Dr. A. Hanna
Winter 2016

** Students should avoid submitting assignments solutions copied from ppt slides from
TAs presentation or copying solutions from previous students who used to study this
course.

** Students are strongly encouraged to use other theories or methods available in the
literature to solve the problems.

1. A footing 6 ft. x 6 ft located at a depth of 5.0 ft below ground level is loaded with an axial
load of 180 tons and Mx = 90 ft-tons; My = 60 ft-tons. The subsoil has a unit weight of
115 lbs/ft3; = 36, C = 200 lbs/ft2 and the water table is at a depth of 30 ft below ground
level. Calculate the factor of safety against shear failure of soil.

y
180 Ton

ex
ey
x
Df=5 ft

B=L=6 ft

=115 lb/ft3 qmin qmax

=36
c=200 lb/ft2

Solution:

= 36
C = 200 lbs/ft2
=115 lbs/ft3
d=30 ft

1
 M y 60 B
ex= = =0.33 ft < =1 ft OK
Q 180 6
M x 90 L
e y= = =0.50 ft < =1 ft OK
Q 180 6

'
B =B2 e x =62 0.33=5.34 ft

L' =L2 e y =62 0.50=5.00 ft

effetive width=B ' =5 ft

effective length=L' =5.34 ft

6e 6e
q max=
N
BL (
1+ x + y =
B B
180
6 6
1+ )
6 0.33 6 0.5
6
+ (6
ton lb
)
=9.15 2 2240=20496 2
ft ft

6e 6e
q min=
N
BL (
1 x y =
B B
180
6 6
1 )
6 0.33 6 0.5
6
(6
ton lb
=0.85 2 2240=1904 2
ft ft )

Assume general shear failure occurs

1
q'u =i c Sc c N c +i q S q Df N q + i S B' N
2

Meyerhof (1963):
=36 yields N c =50.55, N q=37.7, N =44.4

S c =1.3

S q=1

S =0.8

Vertical Load :i c =i q=i =1

2
 d=30 ft >B yields Water has no effect on theultimate bearing capacity

1
q'u =1 S c c N c +1 S q D f N q+ 1 S B ' N
2

1
q'u =1 1.3 200 50.55+1 1 115 5 37.7+ 1 0.8 115 5 44.4=45033lb/ ft 2
2

lb
qu (net) =qu D=45033115 5=44458 2
ft

q u(net ) 44458
FS= = =2.2
q max 20496

* Students can solve the problem by using other theories such as Vesic,

2. What will be the change in the factor of safety in Problem 1 if the load was inclined at
12 to the vertical? The other data being same as in Problem 1.

Solution:

1
q'u =i c Sc c N c +i q S q Df N q + i S B' N
2

Meyerhof (1963):
=36 yields N c =50.55, N q=37.7, N =44.4

S c =1.3

S q=1

S =0.8

3
 2 12 2
(
i c =i q= 1
90) (= 1
90 )
=0.75

2 12 2
( ) (
i = 1 = 1
36
=0.44 )
1
q'u =i c Sc c N c +i q S q Df N q + i S B' N
2

1
q'u =0.75 1.3 200 50.55+ 0.75 1 115 5 37.7+ 0.44 0.8 115 5 44.4=30609lb / ft 2
2

lb
qu (net) =qu D=306091155=30034 2
ft

6e 6e
q max=
N
BL (
1+ x + y =
B B 66 )
180 cos 12
1+
6 0.33 6 0.5
6
+
6 ( ton lb
=8.95 2 2240=20048 2
ft ft)
q u(net ) 30034
FS= = =1.5
q max 20048

* Students can solve the problem by using other theories such as Vesic,

3. A 2.0m wide square footing is located at a depth of 1.5m in a layered sand deposit. The
upper sand layer 2.5m thick have 1= 1.8 t /m3, 1 = 400 and C1 = 0 is followed by other
sand layer having 2= 1.6 t/m3, 2 = 300 and C2 = 0. Using a factor of safety of 3 against
shear failure of soil, calculate the safe load the footing can carry. Assume that the water
table is at great depth.

Df =1.5 m
1=1.8 t/m3
1=40 2.5m
c=0

4
 B=L=2 m H=1m

2=1.6 t/m3
2=30
c=0

Solution:

Dense sand layer over loose sand layer

First Method:
2 Dcos i s K s tan
quv =qbv + 1 H 2 1+ (H B ) 1 H q tv

1
q bv= 1 ( D+ H ) N q 2 i q 2 S q 2+ 2 B N 2 i 2 S 2
2

1
q tv= 1 D N q 1 i q 1 Sq 1 + 1 B N 1 i 1 S 1
2

upper (top) layer : =40 yields N q 1=64.1 , N 1=93.6

lower ( bottom ) layer : =30 yields N q 2=18.4 , N 2=15.7

i q=i =1

S q 1=Sq 2=1

S 1=S 2=0.8

1 t
q 2=qbv =1.8 (1.5+ 1 ) 18.4 1 1+ 1.6 2 15.7 1 0.8=102.9 2
2 m

5
 1 t
q1 =qtv =1.8 1.5 64.11 1+ 1.8 2 93.6 1 0.8=307.9 2
2 m

Vertical Load :i a=i s=1

qbv
=0.33, 1=40 yields K s=5.5
qtv

2 1.5 cos 0 1 5.5 tan 40

quv =102.9+1.8 12 1+ ( 1 ) 2
1.8 1=117.7 307.9

qu 115.11 t
q allowable= = =38.4 2
FS 3 m

Qallowable=qallowable A=38.4 ( 2 2 ) =153.6 ton

Second Method:
D 1.5
= =0.75 yields =4.545,=9.69
B 2

= ( HB )+=4.545 ( 12 )9.69=7.42
1 40
=45+ =45+ =65
2 2

1 t
q bv=1.8 ( 1.5+1 ) 18.4 1 1+ 1.6 2 15.7 1 0.8=102.9 2
2 m

6
 1 t
q tv=1.8 1.5 64.1 11+ 1.8 2 93.6 1 0.8=307.9 2
2 m

qbv
=0.33
qtv

q bv
=ln ( )
qtv
+ =7.42 ln ( 0.33 ) +65=73.2

[ ( ) ] [ ()
F=ln 1+2
H
B
tan =ln 1+ 2
1
2 ]
tan73.2 =1.5

40
(
upper layer : K p=tan2 45+
2) (
=tan 2 45+ )
2
=4.6

1 K p sin
qu =q bv 1 H +
tan [ DF +
2 Htan BF
2 tan ]
qu =102.91.8 1+
1.8 4.6 sin 36
tan73.2 [
1.5 1.5+
2 1 tan 73.22 1.5
2 tan 73.2 ] t
= 101.26 2
m

qu 101.26 t
q allowable= = =33.8 2
FS 3 m

Qallowable=qallowable A=33.8 ( 2 2 )=135 ton

4. A 1.5m x 1.5m footing is located at a depth of 1.0m in a uniform deposit of clay 2.5m
thick. The clay is normally loaded having liquid limit=35%, water content=30%, specific
gravity of solids=2.7; saturated density of 1.9 g/cm3, and unconfined compressive
strength of 1.0 kg/cm2. Assuming clay layer to be fully saturated, calculate the net safe
load the footing can carry. Adopt a factor of safety of 3.0 against shear failure of soil.
Calculate the settlement of footing under the net safe load.

7
Df =1 m

B=L=1.5 m
 LL=35%
W=30%
Gs=2.7
sat=1.9 g/cm3 2.5m
cu=1 kg/cm2

Solution:

Bearing Capacity:

1 '
qu =i c Sc c N c +i q S q Df N q + i S B N
2

=0 yields N c =5.14, N q=1, N =0

S c =1.3

S q=1

i c =i =1

kN
sat =19
m3

q Unconfined compression strength 100 kN

c u= = = =50 2
2 2 2 m

kN
qu =1 1.3 50 5.14+1 1 19 1 1=353.1 2
m

8
 kN
qu (net) =qu D=353.119 1=334.1
m2

qu (net) 334.1 kN
q allowable= = =111.4 2
FS 3 m

Qallowable=qallowable A=111.4 ( 1.5 1.5 ) =250.65 kN

* Students can estimate the bearing capacity by using other theories such as Terzaghi,
Vesic,

Settlement:

Average effective pressure before load application:

kN
'0 =1.75 ( 1910 ) =15.75
m2
(Or
2.5 kN
'0 = ( 1910 )=11.25 2
2 m )

'
Predict the preconsolidation pressure c based on soil parameters provided

S e=Gs w

2.7 0.3
e 0= =0.81
1

35
[ ]
e L = G s=
100 100
2.7=0.945

From Dass book: Principles of Geotechnical Engineering

Nagaraj and Murthy (1985):
e

log 'c =
( )
1.112 0 0.0463 '0
eL kN
=3.58 yields 'c =3802 2
0.188 m

9
 ' ' kN
Or c can be estimated: (Hansbo (1957) c = (VST ) Cu (VST) =6.34*50 = 317 m2

222 222
=
Where: (VST) an empirical coefficient = 35 = 6.34

kN
Cu(VST) undrained shear strength=50 m
2

'c > '0 Overconsolidated soil

' Q allowable 250.65 kN

= = =49.51 2
( B+ z ) ( L+ z ) ( 1.5+0.75 ) ( 1.5+ 0.75 ) m

' ' kN kN
0 + =11.25 + 49.51= 60.76 < 3802 m2
m2

' '
Cs Hc +
S C= log 0 '
1+e 0 0

Nagaraj and Murthy (1985):

CC =0.2343
100 S [ ]
G =0.2343 35 2.7=0.22
[ ] 100

1
C s= C c =0.044
5

Cs Hc '0 + ' 0.044 (2.51) 11.25 +49.51

S C= log '
= log =0.027 m=2.7 cm
1+e 0 0 1+ 0.81 1 1.25

From Das: Principles of Foundation Engineering

Nagaraj and Murthy (1985):

e0

log 'c =
1.122 ( ) eL
0.0463 log '0
=
1.122
0.81
( 0.945 )0.0463 log 11.25 =1.15 yields =14.13 kN
'
c
0.188 0.188 m2

10
 'c > '0 Normally consolidated soil

[ 100 ]G =0.2343 [ 100 ] 2.7=0.22

35
CC =0.2343
Nagaraj and Murthy (1985): S

' Q allowable 250.65 kN

= = =49.51 2
( B+ z ) ( L+ z ) ( 1.5+0.75 ) ( 1.5+ 0.75 ) m

CC H C ' + ' 0.22 1.5 15.75+ 49.51

S C= log 0 ' = log =0.112 m
1+ e0 0 1+0.81 15.75

* Settlement can be estimated by assuming the clayey soil is normally consolidated, and
apply the equation from the literature to estimate the settlement (safer because normally
consolidated clay will experience more settlement than overconsolidated clay).
5- The reinforced concrete retaining wall shown in the following retains a dry sand
backfill.
On the surface of the fill, there is a 20 kPa surcharge. The angle of shearing resistance of
the sand is 34. The unit weight of the dry sand is 16.0 kN/m3.

a Determine the earth pressure acting on the wall.

b Determine the factor of safety against overturning of the wall.

c Determine the factor of safety against sliding.

d Determine the maximum and the minimum stresses on the base of the foundation

Solution:

0.5 m
20kPa

4 3 2 1

11

4.0 m
 7.50 m Pa(surcharge)
0.25 m
0.75 m
Pa(soil)
3.75 m
0.75 m 2.5 m
Pp 0.5 m
0.25 m 5

34
(
K a=tan 2 45
2 ) (
=tan 2 45
2 )
=0.28

1 1
Pa (soil )= H 2 K a = 16 7.52 0.28=126 kN
2 2

Pa (surgharge )=qH K a =20 7.5 0.28=42 kN

Pa=Pa (soil) + P a(surgharge) =126+42=168

34
(
K p=tan 2 45+
2 ) (
=tan 2 45+
2 )
=3.54

1 2 1 2
P p= D K p = 16 0.75 3.54=15.93 kN
2 2

Determine the factor of safety against overturning:

Weight/Unit Moment arm Moment

Sectio
Area Length of Wall measured from about O
n
(kN /m) O (m) (kN.m/m)
1 70.25=1.75 1.7516=28 3.875 108.5
2.57/2=8.7
2 5 8.7516=140 2.92 408.8

12
 2.57/2=8.7
3 5 8.7524=210 2.08 436.8
4 0.57=3.5 3.524=84 1 84
5 0.54=2 224=48 2 96

V=510
MR=1134.1

H H
M o=Pa (soil) + P a(surgharge) =126 2.5+ 42 3.75=472.5 kN .m
3 2

FSoverturning =
M R = 1134.1 =2.4> 2OK
Mo 472.5

Determine the factor of safety against sliding:

1
2
2
' =( ) yields ' =20o
3

FSsliding =
V tan ' + P p = 510 tan 20+15.93 =1.2<1.5
Pa 168

The factor of safety against sliding is less than 1.5, so, the width of retaining wall should be
increased or a base key should be added to increase the factor of safety.

Determine the maximum and the minimum stresses on the base of the foundation:

X=1.6m

13 qheel=qmin
qtoe=qmax
 M net= M R M o=1134.1472.5=661.6 kN . m

M 661.6
X = net = =1.3 m
V 510

B B
e= X=21.3=0.7 m> =0.67
2 6

V
q max=qtoe=
B (1+ 6Be )= 5104 ( 1+ 6 40.7 )=261.4 kN /m
V
q min=qheel =
B (1 6Be )= 5104 (1 6 40.7 )=6.4 kN /m
The minimum stress on the base of foundation is negative, which is the consequence of the
amount of e that is more than B/6.

6 A 400 mm diameter concrete pile is driven into a cohesionless soil with angle of
shearing resistance equal to 35. The soil has a wet density of 1.9 t/m 3 and a
submerged density of 0.9 t/m3. The water table is 3m below ground surface. Estimate
the ultimate pile capacity (Assume = 22).

3m
G.W.T.

L
14
Solution:

t kN
=1.9 3
yields =19 3
m m
t kN
' =0.9 3
yields ' =9 3
m m

Based on Meyerhof Method:

=35 yields N q=143

2
0.4
Q p= A p q' N q= ( 3 1.9+ ( L3 ) 0.9 ) 143=53.91+ 16.17 L ton
4

Limiting point resistance:

t
ql =0.5 Pa N q tan ' =0.5 10 143 tan 35=500
m2

0.42
ql A p=500 =62.83 ton
4
53.91+ 16.17 L=62.83 yields L=0.6 m

Qs= P L f

Perimeter: P=D=0.4

f =for z=0 L ' :f =K '0 tan ' for z=L' L :f =f z= L
'

L' 15 20 D yields L' =15 D=15 0.4=6 m

15
 High Displacement Driven :k k 0 1.8 k 0 yields k =1.5 k 0=1.5 ( 1sin )=1.5 (1sin 35)=0.64

'
at z=0: 0=0 yields f =0

' t t
at z=3 m : 0 =3 1.9=5.7 2
yields f =0.64 5.7 tan22=1.5 2
m m

' t t
at z=6 m: 0 =3 1.9+3 0.9=8.4 2
yields f =0.64 8.4 tan 22=2.17 2
m m

0+ 1.5 1.5+2.17
at z=6 m:Qs = 0.4 3+ 0.4 3=9.75 t
2 2

Qs=9.75+f z=6 P ( L6 )=9.75+2.17 0.4 ( L6 )=2.73 L6.61

at L>6 m :Qu=Q P +QS =( 53.91+16.17 L ) + ( 2.73 L6.61 ) =47.3+18.9 L

at L=6 m:Q p=62.83

at L=6 m:Qu=Q P +QS =62.83+6.43=69.26 t

* Students can solve the problem by using other methods

7 Estimate the pile capacity of a circular concrete pile that is 23 m long and has a diameter
of 450 mm. The pile is in an offshore environment and the 23 m is only the part
embedded in the soil. The soil profile indicates an average unconfined compressive
strength of 0.25 kg/cm2. The submerged density of soil is 0.9 t/m3.

Solution:

16
 qu 0.25 kg 3 10 4 cm 2 kN
Undrained Shear Strength: C u = = =0.125 2
10 10 2
=12.5 2
2 2 cm m m
2
0.45
A p= =0.16 m2
4
P=0.45 =1.41 m
t kN
' =0.9 3
103 10 103=9 3
m m
embeded length : L=23 m

Based on Meyerhof Method:

Q p=N c Cu A p =9 Cu A p=9 12.5 0.16=18 kN

Based on Method:

L=23 m yields =0.159

' ' A 0.5 9 232 kN

Average value of : 0= =
0 =103.5 2
L 23 m

kN
f av = ( '0+ 2C u )=0.159 ( 103.5+2 12.5 )=20.4 2
m

Qs=P L f av =1.41 23 20.4=661.6 kN

Qu=Q P +QS =18+661.6=679.6 kN

Based on Method:

C u 12.5
= =0.125 yields 1
P a 100

17
 kN
f = C u=1 C u=12.5 2
m

Qs=P L f =1.41 23 12.5=405.4 kN

Qu=Q P +QS =18+405.4=423.4 kN

* Students can solve the problem by using other methods

9 A group of 25 piles arranged in a square pattern is to be proportioned in a deposit of soft

clay. Assuming the piles to be square (30 cm side) and 10 m long, work out the spacing
for 100% efficiency. Neglect bearing and assume an adhesion factor of 0.8 for shear
mobilization around each pile.

0.3m

0.3m

L=10 m B

=1
n=25

=1 yields Qu Grout =n Q u

Qu Grout =4 BLCu +9 B2 C u=4 B 10 0.8 C u +9 B 2 C u=32 B C u+ 9 B 2 C u

18
 2
Qu= A s C u+ 9 A s Cu =4 0.3 10 0.8 C u +9 0.3 C u=9.6C u +0.81 Cu

By neglecting bearing:

Qu Grout =4 BLCu=4 B 10 0.8 C u=32 BC u

Qu= A s C u=4 0.3 10 0.8 Cu =9.6 Cu

Qu Grout =n Q u

32 B Cu =25 9.6 C u yields B=7.5 m

Center to center spacing:

7.50.3
=1.8 m
4

* Students can solve the problem by using other methods

10 Proportion a pile group to carry a load of 250t including the weight of pile cap at a site
where the subsoil consists of uniform clay up to a depth of 30 m underlain by rock.
Average unconfined compressive strength of clay is 0.8 kg/cm 2. The clay is normally
loaded having a liquid limit of 40% and an initial void ratio of 1.0. A factor of safety of 2
is required against shear failure of soil. Compute the settlement of the pile group
assuming the load to be transferred at 2/3 point of length of piles.

Followings are the information about the pile group:

n1=n2=3

=100

Pile cross section: 30 30 cm

Center to Center spacing between the piles: d=120 cm

19
 Q=250t
1

Qu=250 t

kg
qu =0.8 2/3L
cm2 L

qu z
kg 30m
Undrained Shear Strength: C u = =0.4 2
2 cm 2 H
=40
FS=2 ROCK
e 0=1

This problem has been solved based on 2 different assumptions.

Assumption 1:
n1=n2=3 0.3m
=100
0.3m

Pile cross section: 30 30 cm

Center to Center spacing between the piles: d=120 cm
for Clay :G s =2.72.9 yields G s=2.8

p n1 n24 D ( 1 4 30 3 3 )4 30
d= = =120 cm
2 ( n1 +n2 2 ) 2 ( 3+32 )

250
Qu (group )= Qu=1 9 Qu (single ) yields Q u( single )= =27.8 ton
9

20
 Pile capacity=FS Qu ( single)=2 27.8=55.6 ton

3
Q p=N c Cu A p =9 Cu A p=9 0.4 10 30 30=3.24 ton

Qs=Q uQ p=55.63.24=52.36 ton

Qs
Qs=P L f yields L=
Pf

kg
f = C u , =1 yields f =C u=0.4 2
cm

Q s 52.36 10 3
L= = =1090 cm=10.9 m 11m
Pf 4 30 0.4

Determining Settlement:

Because the length of piles are 11m, the stress distribution starts at a depth of 7.33m below the
top of the pile.

B g=L g=2 d +30=2 120+30=270 cm=2.7 m

2 2
30 L 30 11
3 3
z= = =11.3 m
2 2

Q 250 t
'= = =1.28 2
( B g+ z ) ( L g + z ) ( 2.7+ 11.3 ) ( 2.7+11.3 ) m

G s w 2.8 1 t
d= = =1.4 3
1+e 1+1 m

t
'0 =d =1.4 18.63=26.1
m2

21
 [ 100 ]G =0.2343 [ 100 ] 2.8=0.26
40
CC =0.2343
Nagaraj and Murthy (1985): S

Sc =
Cc H
1+e 0
log
[0'
=
]
'0+ ' 0.26 22.66
1+ 1
log
26.1+1.28
26.1 [=0.061 m=6.1 cm ]
Assumption 2:
L=15 m
B g=L g=3 m

for Clay :Gs =2.72.9 yields Gs=2.8

Determining bearing capacity for checking the assumption:

Q p=N c Cu A p =9 Cu A p=9 0.8 32 10 4=648 ton

4
Qs=P L C u=4 3 15 10 0.8=1440 ton

Qu=Q P +QS =648+1440=2088 kN

Qu 2088
Q a= = =1044 ton> 250ton OK
FS 2

Determining Settlement:
Because the length of piles are 15m, the stress distribution starts at a depth of 10m below the top
of the pile.

2 2
30 L 30 15
3 3
z= = =10 m
2 2

Q 250 t
'= = =1.48 2
( B g+ z ) ( L g + z ) ( 3+10 )( 3+10 ) m

22
 G s w 2.8 1 t
d= = =1.4 3
1+e 1+1 m

t
'0 =1.4 20=28 2
m

Nagaraj and Murthy (1985):

CC =0.2343
100 S [ ]
G =0.2343 40 2.8=0.26
[ ] 100

Sc =
Cc H
1+e 0 [
log 0 '
0 ]
' + ' 0.26 20
=
1+1
log [
28+ 1.48
28 ]
=0.058 m=5.8 cm

* Students can solve the problem by using other assumptions

23